Best Practice Model for Victim Services: A Reflection on the Process that Developed the Model

• NCJ Number: 212503
• Author(s): Louise Lamont
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 7 pages
• Corporate Author: Women's Policy Office
• Sale Source: Women's Policy Office
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Downloaded December 27, 2005.

Annotation

This paper describes the process that led to the development of the Best Practice Model (BPM) for Victim Services by the Domestic Violence Prevention Unit (DVPU) in Australia.

Abstract

A BPM for serving the needs of domestic violence victims is a critical step in promoting victim safety. Furthermore, a BPM that is linked to the contractual requirements of funding agreements ensures that victims are responded to appropriately. This paper describes the processes that facilitated the development of the BPM in Australia by the DVPU, which began its work in 1997. The process involved the appointment and convening of the Best Practice Consulting Group, which identified the main goals the group was interested in accomplishing. Questionnaire data were obtained from agencies currently serving victims, which was then used to formulate drafts of the BPM, which were in turn circulated back within the domestic violence sector for comment. The resulting BPM was widely accepted within the domestic violence sector and the essential principles it sets forth provide a minimum baseline for standards in victim service delivery. Throughout the development process, victim safety was considered of paramount importance although the developers acknowledge that the BPM has limited application for some marginalized groups. Bibliography